~ Government was informed of the 2021 amendments.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Supervisory Board of Directors of the National Institute of Professional Advancement (NIPA) made clarifications on Monday at a press conference regarding several issues highlighted in a recently published article.
Chairlady of the Board of Directors Peggy Ann Dros Richardson labeled the published article as erroneous when she pointed out that several articles in the articles of association were amended in 2021. Dros Richardson said the amendment process began in June 2020 and was completed in March 2021. The amendments she said were sent to the Government of St. Maarten in 2021.
This she said was done during the reporting period, while the amendments made in December 2022 will be submitted in February 2023.
Addressing her position on the NIPA board Dros Richardson was appointed on March 15th, 2016. Based on the articles of association of 2013, Dros Richardson was appointed as a board member for a period of 3 years, she was then reappointed in March 2019 when her first term ended. She was later elected as chair of the board where she served two full 3-year terms. Since the articles were amended, Dros Richardson and Anushka (COCI) representatives signed a resolution where they decided to leave their position in the year 2025. Dros Richardson said that instead of adding five years to their term they have decided to add three years which would come to an end in March 2025. Asked if she was reappointed in March 2022 by the Ministry of VSA Dros Richardson said that there was no need for a reappointment since her term is still active, she said the only time a reappointment could take place is if she resigned or if her term expires.
Asked if the Ministry of VSA expressed the desire to have a change on the NIPA board, Dros Richardson said no such indication was given to her. However, SMN News learned that the Ministry of VSA is looking into appointing someone else to the board of NIPA, that person will replace Peggy Ann Dros. No indication was given as to when this will take place.
Anushka Friday who was appointed by COCI said that she became an independent member of the board before the amendments were made in 2022. Friday said that while she is a board member of COCI and a member of the SBOD of NIPA she will not disclose the reason she opted to go independent, however, she said the reasons are personal.
Dros Richardson clarified that COCI lost a seat because a change in the articles had to be made since 2016 and this was not done. This matter was again discussed in 2018. The chairlady said that since the government had two seats and COCI two seats, this she said was too heavy as such the amendment was necessary. She also explained that while COCI submitted the names for two members to be appointed, one of those persons did not submit their information for the appointment.
Asked by SMN News why ECYS does not have a representative on NIPA board since the representative resigned on July 1st, 2022. Dros said that it was up to the person to notify the Ministry, however, she said when the representative gave NIPA board a two months notification and that information was passed on to the Ministry of ECYS. Dros said she also had several meetings with the Minister of Education Rodolph Samuel where the vacant seat was discussed. She said she went as far as informing the Minister that NIPA board cannot dictate to him who the Ministry should nominate for the position. (Full press statement by NIPA attached.)
Institution in good financial standing.
Dros said that the NIPA is in good financial condition despite not receiving a proper subsidy from the government. She explained that the way the subsidy is calculated does not benefit the institution since government gives subsidies based on the amount of students enrolled at the school.
Dros said that NIPA has a high overhead to maintain its programs since materials are very expensive.
As for the directors that have left the institution Dros Richardson admitted that there has been a large turnover in managing leadership. She described the situation as being rough which she said is passed on to each candidate that has held the position over the years. Dros explained that in most cases the directors came from well-structured organizations while NIPA is not there as yet.
